The global membrane bioreactor market size was estimated at USD 3.8 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 5.77 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 7.4% from 2025 to 2030. Several key trends are currently driving this market expansion. One of the most significant trends is the rising focus on sustainable and efficient wastewater treatment methods, which has become increasingly important as urbanization and industrial activities accelerate worldwide.

Governments and regulatory agencies are playing a critical role by implementing more stringent environmental regulations, compelling industries and municipalities to adopt advanced treatment technologies such as membrane bioreactors. These regulations aim to reduce pollution and promote cleaner water management practices, thereby driving up the demand for MBR systems.

In addition to effective wastewater treatment, there is growing interest in resource recovery and circular economy concepts. Membrane bioreactors are gaining attention because they not only treat wastewater effectively but also facilitate the recovery of valuable by-products like nutrients and energy. This dual benefit aligns well with global sustainability goals and is a key factor propelling the adoption of MBR technologies.

Significant investment is being channeled into the development and upgrade of wastewater treatment infrastructure, supported by various government initiatives focused on addressing water scarcity challenges. The construction of new wastewater treatment plants and the integration of process-intensive technologies are expected to further boost market growth over the forecast period.

Furthermore, stricter regulations concerning wastewater discharge from both municipal and industrial sectors have been introduced by several governments worldwide. These regulatory frameworks are particularly impactful in developing economies, where new policies are fostering market growth. For example, as noted on the Brazilian government’s official website, legislation enacted in 2020 has encouraged private sector investment in sanitation services, thereby contributing to the expansion of the membrane bioreactor market in that region.

Key Market Trends Insights:

• The membrane bioreactor (MBR) market in North America has experienced substantial growth, driven by increasing demand for advanced wastewater treatment technologies in the region. Within this market, the United States plays a pivotal role, with its membrane bioreactor segment projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.5% between 2025 and 2030. This steady growth reflects the country’s ongoing investments in water infrastructure and adherence to stringent environmental regulations.

• When considering the product types within the membrane bioreactor market, the hollow fiber segment stands out prominently. In 2024, this product type held a significant market share of 50.9%, indicating its widespread adoption due to benefits such as high surface area and efficient filtration performance.

• In terms of system configurations, the submerged configuration dominates the market landscape, accounting for a substantial 77.0% share in 2024. The popularity of submerged MBRs can be attributed to their operational advantages, including ease of maintenance and effective treatment capabilities in various wastewater treatment settings.

• From an application perspective, the municipal sector leads the market by a large margin, accounting for 63.67% of the global revenue share in 2024. This dominance underscores the critical role of MBR technology in treating municipal wastewater, driven by increasing urbanization, population growth, and regulatory requirements aimed at protecting public health and the environment.

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Market Size Forecast:

• 2024 Market Size: USD 3.8 Billion

• 2030 Projected Market Size: USD 5.77 Billion

• CAGR (2025-2030): 7.4%

• Asia Pacific: Largest market in 2024

Key Companies Market Share Insights:

Several key players dominate the membrane bioreactor market, including industry leaders such as General Electric, MANN+HUMMEL, and Suez, among others.

General Electric provides an extensive portfolio of products designed for diverse applications, including boiler and cooling water treatment, desalination, dust control, drinking water treatment, enhanced oil recovery, metal removal, mobile water treatment, sulfate removal, wastewater treatment, and zero-liquid discharge. Their offerings also extend to hydrocarbon processing and water quality monitoring solutions. GE’s products serve a broad range of industries, including mining operations, municipalities, pharmaceutical manufacturing, power generation, metals, refining, oil gas, and pulp paper sectors, catering to varied and specialized water treatment needs.

BP Water Technologies s.r.l. specializes in designing, developing, and supplying a wide array of water treatment systems and potabilization plants. Their product range includes water analysis cabinets, bilgewater treatment plants, industrial reverse osmosis systems, chemical dosing packages, industrial wastewater treatment units, water softening devices, seawater and brackish water reverse osmosis plants, and solar-powered desalination systems. The company places strong emphasis on preassembling and rigorous testing of water treatment plants to ensure quality and reliability and holds ISO 9001 certification. A standout feature of BP Water Technologies is its containerized membrane bioreactor systems, which eliminate the need for onsite construction, piping, electrical cabling, and component mounting since all fabrication occurs within metal shipping containers, simplifying installation and reducing timeframes.

Emerging players making notable strides in the membrane bioreactor market include Buckman Laboratories International Inc., Aquatech International Corporation, Danaher Corporation, and Toray Industries.

Founded in 1945, Buckman Laboratories International Inc. operates through four core business divisions: paper technologies, water technologies, leather technologies, and performance chemicals. Their water technology services cater to a diverse set of sectors, including fertilizer, food beverage, hydrocarbon and chemical processing, leather, metals smelting and steel, mining and mineral processing, municipal water systems, oil gas, pharmaceuticals, power and utilities, pulp paper, refineries, sugar ethanol, and textile industries. 

Key Players

• General Electric

• BP Water Technologies S.r.l.

• CITIC Envirotech Ltd.

• MANN+HUMMEL Water Fluid Solutions

• Suez

• Calgon Carbon Corporation

• Veolia

• Reynolds Culligan

• Kemira

• Buckman

• Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation

• Aquatech International LLC

• Danaher Corporation

• Toray Industries

• Kubota Corporation

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Conclusion:

The global membrane bioreactor (MBR) market is experiencing significant growth, driven by increasing urbanization, industrialization, and the need for sustainable wastewater treatment solutions. Governments worldwide are implementing stricter environmental regulations, further propelling the demand for advanced MBR technologies. The Asia Pacific region, in particular, is witnessing substantial market expansion due to rapid industrialization and urban development. Key industry players are focusing on strategic initiatives such as mergers, acquisitions, and product innovations to enhance their market presence and meet the growing demand for efficient wastewater treatment systems.